Improvement in invalid-bedsteads



j Gr. W, GROTE. Invalid Bedsteads.

Patented'Aprilzznas..

AM, PHDT'LITHOGRFHIC C0, AlK- KOSBOHNES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GORHAM WHITCOMB GROTE, OF ST. CATHARINES, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID-BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No: 138,083, dated April422, 1873; application filed Y l January 20, `1873.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GORHAM WHITcoME GROTE, M. D., of St. (latharines,county of Lincoln, Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, haveinvented a new and Improved Invalid and Fracture Couch, of which thefollowing is a specification:

The Iirst part of my invention relates to the horizontal screw-shafts,nuts, and connecting bars at each end of the couch. The object of thispart of my invention is, first, to `raise the patients head andshoulders from the recumbent posture' and incline them forward to anyangle required. Second, to raise the patients lower extremities untilthey assume the shape of a double incline plane; the two positions thusgiving the patient the sitting-posture or reclining-posture of anyangle. These objects are attained with the greatest possible ease to thepatient, and require the least power of any other contrivance forraising a patient.

The second part of my invention relates to the bed-pan adjuster, pad,and pan. Thel object of this part of my invention is to obviate thenecessity of moving a patient for the use of the bed-pan; also, that thebed-pan can be used, no matter what position the patient may be placedin.- This is of the greatest importance in cases of fracture.

The third part of my invention relates to the canvas stretcher uponwhich the patient lies, mode of attachment to the couch, and eccentriclever for elevating the same. The object of this part of my invention isto provide a means of ventilation forv the patient and bedlinen, thuspreventing in a great measurethe occurrence of bed-sores; also, tofacilitate the making of the bed.

Figure 1 is a perspective viewof the couch,

showing some of the most important parts ofpan adjuster, seen inposition in Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a section of the canvas-stretcher,elevated in a straight line from foot to head by means of eccentriclever T, Fig. 7.

A A, Fig. l, is the frame ofthe couch, which, like all the otherframework, may be constructed either of wood or iron, and should besubstantially fastened at the corners. As it is intended to be movedfrom room to room, adjustable casters willbe used, and can be removed ifnecessary. B, D, andE are sections upon which correspondin gsections ofmattress rest. Sections B and D are iirmly hinged to a strongcross-board, G, 'by means of stro`ng4 double hinges, single hinges notbeing of sufficient stren gth'. D and E are hinged together by means ofsingle hinges. Frames B and E have longitudinal laths fixed to them tosupport the mattress, while frame D has only a broad board fixed in thecenter, in the center of the upper end of which is an elliptical hole,through which the pad and pan are to pass. There is a corresponding holein the mattress, exactly filled by the pad when in its place. G G arehorizontal screw-shafts, placed in the center and on a level with thebottom of the couch, one end working in an ordinary bearing'ixed in theend of the couch, and the other is adjusted in a like manner to across-board, K,

which is secured to the bottom ofthe sides of the, couch. Upon eachscrew-shaft runs a square nut, with a turned shoulder on two of itsopposite sides, at right angles to the thread in the nut, to which areattached the connecting-bars F F at one end, which are kept in theirplaces either by spring-pins or nuts. The other endsare attached in asimilar way to a head-block with turned shoulders,`and fixed to across-board secured to the longitudinal laths in section B; and theconnecting-bars at y crank-lever M, and the positions shown in Figs.

1 and 4 are obtained. Foo section E is elevated at any angle by thehand, and supported in its place by prop Y, fitting in a rack on theunder surface of the two side pieces of frame E.

The bed-pan adjuster, Fig. 5, consists of a strong quadrilateral frame,H H, of wood, with a perpendicular square post firmly secured in itscenter, upon which moves up and down an exactly-fitting box, upon oneside of Which is a broad shoulder, upon which rests table I, which isfirmly secured to it, and upon the other side is a round shoulder, whichpasses through a slot in the center of lever L, which slot takes thedirection of the arc described by lever L while being moved up or down.Lever L is hinged to one perpendicular side of frame H, and movable atthe other. Lateral motion of the movable end of lever L is prevented byguide N.

The object of the table I is to receive the pad or pan'When required foruse. The pad is secured to a tray with beveled sides which exactly fitin corresponding grooves on table I. The bottom of the pan has alsobeveled edges, to follow the grooves on table I. The pan is as easilyconstructed as any other form of bed-pan, Whether made of' zinc orearthen- Ware, or other proper material.

When the pan is to be used, the pad is removedand the pan inserted inits place. In

" order to accomplish this movement, spring O Y ment is that the pan canbe used quickly, and

Without disturbing the patient, Whatever position may be assumed by thesame. A space is cut away in frame A ofthe couch, to admit of a moreeasy introduction of the pad and pan into the bed-pan adjuster.

The canvas stretcher, Fig. 6, consists of a frame the full size of thecouch, and the sections P, Q, and R correspond to the sections B, D, andE, Figs. 1 and 4, and are hinged together at the joinings, so as toassume the different inclinations required. (See Fig. l.) When thecanvas stretcher is to be raised, (which is done by means of eccentriclever T, Fig. 7, hinged to the center of head-section l? by means of astrong bolt. and resting upon a shoulder which is attached to the headof section B, and upon which it rotates,) sections P and Q are boltedtogether on each side at the hinges 'by bolt W. The foot-hinges do notrequire bolting, as the hinges are on the under side of the frame, thusmaintaining the required rigidity of sections Q and R. V

The canvas stretcher is hinged to the foot of section E by means of ahookhinge, V, in order that it may be adjusted more readily.Y

When not required for use, it can be removed lWithout difticulty.

The canvas which rests upon the mattress lWhen in position has a holethrough it corresponding with the one through the mattress,

. and is laced on the frame. by means of a strong cord, which can betightened When required.

While the canvas stretcher is elevated lateral motion is prevented byguide-bolt X, which passes through section P, and is fixed in a socketin the head of section B, close to the bolt which supports eccentriclever T, and is removed when not required for use. (See Fi g.7

I claim as my invention- 1. The couch proper, combining the frame A A,sectional mattressframes B, D, and E, and adjusting screw-shafts G Gr,nuts, and connecting-bars F F, as and for the purpose hereinbefore setforth.

2. The bed-pan adjuster H L NI, including pan and pad, combined with andattached to sectional mattress-frame D, as and for the purposehereinbefore set forth.

3. The upper frame or canvas stretcher with its sections P, Q, and R,(corresponding with sectional mattress-frames B, D, and E,) and drawbolt w, provided With adjusting eccentric lever T and guide-bolt X, andcombined with and attached to sectional mattressframe at foot end ofsect-ion E by adjustable hinges VV, as and for the purpose hereinbeforeset orth.

GORHAM WHITGOMB GROTE, M. D.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. BARRY, JNO. W. GROTE.

